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Shell cup can address U-17 problems - Erico
Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Joe Erico is up beat that the nation’s quest for truly U-16 players could be sought out through the input of the annual soccer fiesta for Nigeria Secondary Schools, tagged “Shell Cup” being sponsored by the oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.
Elated at the fine soccer artistries displayed by the youngsters during this year’s semi finals/final decided at the Main bowl, National Stadium, Lagos at the weekend, the notable grassroots soccer tactician told Vandykesport.com that the soccer event if sustained would become a re-birth for Nigeria to re-discover her lost glory in the age grade competitions.
“Shell Cup competition is not different from what obtained in the past. Henry Nwosu, Frank Howard, Tarila Okoronwanta, among others built their profiles from the schools.
“I am quite impressed with what I saw, they are quite young and I think this is the right place to do it especially if Nigeria wants to get out of the hydra-headed problem of assembling genuine U-17 team.”
However, Erico cautioned that it is not yet uhuru, insisting that if Nigeria must get right similar programmes like the Shell Cup should be sustained and invested heavily, too.
“We have to invest more time and money; it is not enough to do it on the surface as it is the case presently. We must work the programmes back to the primary, secondary schools and universities.
“From this event a few talented players’ profile could be built, at the end we can get up to seven players, players that will be ready for the next generation,” he said.
Sheik Abubakar Gumi college, Kaduna emerged Shell Cup champion after they defeated hard fighting Asegun Comprehensive College 1-10 in the epic final and they pocketed the grand prize money of N2.5 million.
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